of course the duty of every true citizen of the State to reveal the identity of disloyalty in any form. When persons refused to reveal information which was requested of them, they were themselves sent to prison. 2 Under these circum-

For examples of the different eases see under June 10, 22, 24; August 12,

13, 15,17, 21, 31; September 7, 14, 18, 29; October 1, 6, 10, 13, 15, 1778; January 4, 5, 8; February 15; April 9; June 8, 18, 19; July 28, 1779. July 3, 1778.

42 State of New York

stances it was not unusual that suspicious persons construed Dame Rumor to the damnation off their neighbors, and that revengeful spirits were afforded an outlet. But the commissioners for conspiracies discharged many unfortuate individuals in whom they found no fault of disloyalty. Charges were also preferred against persons on the initiative of those who had arrested them, and without previous order from the commissioners. Some suspects surrendered themselves. When ordered by publication to appear at a designated time, default was punishable in like manner as provided by law for persons of equivocal and suspected characters. 1 The operation of discharges of prisoners varied greatly. Accused persons were fully exonerated, or allowed to go at large on their honor, or were kept within certain bounds, or were put under recognizance and bail for their future good behaviour, or required to appear before the board or a commissioner daily or monthly or when called upon, or to present themselves at the meetings of designated courts. Some were enlarged on condition of their joining the continental army. Bail varied all the way from £40 to ^5,ooo. ! The obligation of appearance at stated times of those under recognizances was not always heeded; hence, on August 11, 1779, the Albany commissioners ordered advertisements to be posted throughout the county, commanding all persons under such a release to appear before them on the last day of that month, or suffer